Next Up, Jitterbug

When Cameron started preschool last year, any art work he brought home fell squarely into the abstract category. Slowly, over time, squiggles became circles which became faces. Eventually, if he explained what he had drawn, I could sorta kinda see it!

This year, Cameron's art work has skyrocketed to new heights. Most of the time he doesn't even have to tell me for me to be able to distinguish a volcano from a train from a robot. In retrospect, when Cameron brought home this drawing last week, I should have been able to tell what it was. Actually, I thought to myself, "Funny, that looks like three people wearing some type of exotic headdresses under a disco ball. Nahhh." So I said, "Cameron, I like this drawing! Can you explain it to me."

"Sure," he replied. "That's me in the green. The other two guys are my friends. The circle with all the colors is a disco ball and we're all dancing."

And now I am left with a more confounding question. Why?

We Came to Get Down

Well, I've got to give it to David. The "Kid's Dance Party" was a big hit. I mean, the party was pumpin'. Everybody having a ball. I had no idea that the boys could really shake it like a polaroid picture. They were jumping all over the place. How high? Real high! I was trying to keep up with them. I was all like, "Lend me some sugar! I AM your mama!" but my groove thang just can't keep up with theirs.

Age Appropriate

Cameron: Mommy, can we have a dance party?
Me: Sure! What should we listen to?
Cameron: Well, Daddy made us a list of songs on the computer last night. It's called "Kid's Dance Party" and it's all our favorite songs.
Me: Wow, that's great!
Cameron: Yeah, I want to dance to that. Because I'm really in the mood to hear "Tootsie Roll."
Me: Uh, "Tootsie Roll" is on the "Kid's Dance Party" list?
Cameron: Yep. It's my favorite. Matthew's favorite is "Who Let the Dogs Out."
Matthew: Woof, woof, woof, woof!

Show stopper

Cameron, as regular readers will know, loves nothing better than to put on a good superhero show. Occasionally, this calls for musical accompaniment. I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed with his musical tastes. No "Fruit Salad" or "Big Red Car" for this kid! At this show, his soundtrack of choice was some old school Medeski, Martin and Wood! And it turns out that superheroes are great dancers, too.And as for Matthew, he is all grins these days. He "talks" a lot, most amusingly to his own reflection in the baby-viewing mirror in the car. "Aaaaah! Gaaa-goooo!" he squeals happily. He must imagine that he and the "other" baby have a real connection, as that good looking baby squeals at exactly the same time.

I have zero modesty when it comes to Matthew -- I just think he's gorgeous!

Lights, Cameron, Action

Stacy has kindly provided me with the photos he took during the Chicago Independence Eve celebration. Cameron spent much of his time demostrating his spectacular dance skills, to both our amusement and that of many onlookers. Cameron was unphased by the attention, as he has quickly learned that his prowess is widely admired. Here, Cameron shows off the "I have a headache THIS big" move.And here, Cameron performs a freestyle solo that would most certainly wow the judges on "So You Think You Can Dance?"

And, finally, as mentioned in my vacation posts, many people mistook Stacy for a professional photographer and asked him to take their photo. They had high hopes of appearing in a magazine or newspaper. I figure the least I can do is put them on my blog, right?

The boy has moves!

When Cameron was a toddler, he would "dance" by bouncing up and down in place. Well, folks, he's a toddler no more and this boy can MOVE! A park near our house has a free, outdoor concert every Friday night during the summer. Last week, we went and heard a Neil Diamond cover band perform. Cameron performed a soulful, contemporary routine to "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon." The performance culminated in a belly-baring move that I (quite inappropriately!) laughed when I saw. Cameron was indignant and said through clenched teeth, "Mommy! Don't laugh when I show my belly!"

This week, we returned to see "Hot Wax" do a varied set of upbeat oldies. Cameron proved that he's no one-trick pony, finding just the right shimmy, hop or wiggle for each song. Here is a sample of his show.